Wales lock Charteris a doubt for Australia clash

Lock Luke Charteris is a doubt for Wales' clash with Australia in a rematch of the World Cup third-place play-off next month with a wrist injury.

The 28-year-old second row was among Wales' stand-out performers in New Zealand, having been recalled after missing the whole of the RBS 6 Nations, but has not featured for Newport Gwent Dragons since due to his injury.

The Dragons were hopeful that he would be back in domestic action later this month but coach Darren Edwards confirmed he will not play again before the Wallabies arrive at the Millennium Stadium.

"When he first got back it was a four-to-six-week injury so it quite possibly could be Australia if Wales pick him as his return match," said Edwards.

"It's disappointing for us here at the Dragons that we can't get him out there on the field but that's the nature of rugby."

Should Charteris' injury rule him out of the Millennium Stadium clash, it would be a further blow for Wales coach Warren Gatland who is already likely to be without foreign-based players James Hook, Mike Phillips and Lee Byrne, who all ply their trade in France.

Ireland Women's skipper Niamh Briggs is still relishing her role as skipper in this year's Women's Six Nations, and insists the new blood brought in for the Championship has given her team a new lease of life.